RUGBY CHAT: DID MARTIN JOHNSON’S ENGLAND TURN THE CORNER AGAINST FRANCE? March 23, 2010 DUNCAN BROWN | MINSTER LAW SOLICITORS “I don’t think we were going to ever beat France, but it was a fairly good performance and I felt we turned the corner in many respects. The introductions of Ben Foden and Chris Ashton gave us impetus but Johnson needs to blood more like these.” PETER DAVIS | [...]
Spurs land starlet Sandro in £10.5m summer deal March 23, 2010 TOTTENHAM last night confirmed a deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Sandro, subject to a medical. The 21-year-old is due to arrive at White Hart Lane later this week with a view to completing an estimated £10.5m deal from Internacional. Sandro will not join the club, however, until the conclusion of the Copa Libertadores in August, [...]
Broadcasters agree on an even split for World Cup schedule March 23, 2010 THE BBC and ITV have confirmed an even split of matches for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa. While ITV will show two of England’s three group stage games, the BBC has first pick of last 16 and quarter-final ties. Both will then show the final and any semi-final featuring Fabio Capello’s side. The [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF March 23, 2010 Button’s eyeing Aussie success FORMULA ONE: World champion Jenson Button says McLaren can close the gap on their rivals at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. Button could only finish seventh in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix a fortnight ago, while team-mate Lewis Hamilton was third. But Button said: “It’s a low downforce circuit which suits [...]
First Lady of Football Brady eyeing last laugh at embattled West Ham March 22, 2010 ANYONE willing to succeed the much-loved Margaret Mountford as Alan Sugar’s sidekick on The Apprentice is clearly on first-name terms with daunting tasks, but Karren Brady may have surpassed herself with the role of vice-chairman at West Ham. Among the Premier League’s most illustrious clubs but staring down the barrel of financial ruin, they are [...]
FA in lurch as Watmore quits top job March 22, 2010 THE Football Association was thrown into chaos last night after chief executive Ian Watmore resigned less than nine months into the post. The 51-year-old quit just 80 days before England’s World Cup bid amid reports he had become fed up with the on-going power struggle with the Premier League. Watmore only undertook the role last [...]
Van Persie eyes comeback after stepping up training March 22, 2010 ARSENAL striker Robin van Persie has revealed he is close to making a return and expects to play a role in the Gunners’ final push for Premier League and European glory. Holland star Van Persie says he is “medically fit” following a four-month lay-off and has recovered from his ankle injury sufficiently to train with [...]
Ashton sets sights on trip Down Under March 22, 2010 CHRIS ASHTON has set his sights on starring in England’s tour of Australasia this summer after “slotting in” for his Test debut against France on Saturday night. The Northampton wing clearly enjoyed his first taste of international rugby at the Stade de France and capped a fine display by setting up club-mate Ben Foden for [...]
Centurion Bell eyes Tigers’ whitewash March 22, 2010 IAN BELL insists England are on course for a series whitewash over Bangladesh after his century edged the tourists into a first-innings lead in Mirpur. The Warwickshire batsman struck a patient 138, the 10th Test ton of his career, as England finished day three of the second Test on 440-8 – a lead of 21. [...]
I may retire for worried mum, reveals Pacquiao March 22, 2010 POUND-FOR-POUND king Manny Pacquiao has hinted he may retire from boxing – to make his mum happy. The 31-year-old is again being touted for a showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr after retaining his WBO welterweight title against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey in Texas last week. But the Filipino insists his future plans do not revolve around [...]